Crocheted Leather Flap Clutch TUTORIAL

It’s been a while since I’ve shared a crochet project…

It combines two things I love: crochet texture and leather.

Yummy. :)

If you are a regular reader, than you know I have an ongoing crochet series called Hip Hooks. If you are new to crochet, I started in the Fall with some very beginner projects and patterns and have worked up to more difficult ones like this one. It is still a beginner project, but takes just a little bit more time and skill.

PREP THE LEATHER FLAP

Cut out the paper pattern, trace it onto your leather and cut that out.

Punch 25 holes evenly across the straight edge of the flap and two holes up the sides of the flap, on each side.

Prepare your hook. Now, you will begin by single crocheting (sc) into the leather holes along the straight edge.

CROCHET THE CLUTCH

Start at one corner…

…and crochet into each hole twice until you reach the other side. This is your foundation row.

Chain one at the end, turn and sc crochet three more rows of 50 sc. (if you prefer a traditional pattern format, scroll to the end)

On the fourth row (not including the foundation row), you will crochet into the back loops only.

Typically you would slide your hook under two top loops, but this time, you will only pick up the back loop. This helps create a nice texture for the outside of the clutch. It can be a little tricky to get the hang of, but one you get going, it gets easier.

Do the sc bl stitch for the remainder of the row, ch 1 and then turn. Sc three rows of 50, then sc bl another row. You will continue this pattern of 3 rows of sc and 1 row of sc bl, 12 more times or a total of 14 times.

Do not tie of your yarn when you get to the end of the pattern. Instead, pull the loop out far enough, so your work doesn’t accidentally get pulled out.

BLOCKING

Now, this is optional, but I am going to show you how to block your work.

Blocking is essentially knitting and crochet’s version of ironing. There are several ways to block crochet and knitted items, but the idea is basically setting the shape of whatever you just made so it ‘s not warped and so it lays nice and even.

For this damp or cold method (which is great for a yarn that has acrylic in it), fold a large towel into eighths. Lay your clutch on top of the towel. Shape your clutch how you want it and then pin it into place. Add a damp towel over the top. Once the towel is dry, then your work should be set. You may also want to spray the project directly with a spray bottle of water. Once it’s dry, it’s blocked. (The result is less obvious in these pictures, but it definitely makes it easier to work with)

CROCHET THE CLUTCH TOGETHER

Now, let’s bring the clutch together. Fold the bottom up, so that the right side of the leather faces out. Make sure that the bottom overlaps the inside of the leather flap about one inch, and matches up to the two side holes you made earlier. Check to see that the back loop stripes match up on the sides as well.

Single crochet twice into each of the side holes, and then sc into the matched up rows down to the bottom. Tie it off.

Sc along the other side, weaving the tail in as you go, tie it off.

Using a yarn needle with a large eye, weave in the the ends.

Take your button and draw a line exactly the height of the button onto the wrong side of the leather flap, with a fabric or air erasing marker (mine is from the Ribbon Retreat). You don’t want to or need to make it larger, because the leather stretches to accommodate the button.

Using sharp scissors, carefully cut the button hole line you just created.

Now, fold the flap over and mark the middle of the button hole with a pin. Open up the flap, letting the pin pass through the button hole. This is where you need to hand sew your button on.

Be sure to only sew through the top layer, so the clutch remains functional.

I got it from the Leather Hide Store. You can use an old thrift-ed purse, vinyl from Joann, or even leather from Hobby Lobby. I don’t believe Joann carries leather. Let me know if you have any other questions! :)

Question. I’m working on this right now.. when I crochet two stitches into the foundation row the following rows end up being really wonky/ripply. Did you have this problem and the blocking corrected it?
I pulled it out and did one stitch in each foundation hole and it lays flat that way. I’m wondering if it could be that my holes are bigger and therefore closer together causing the wavey effect.

Good question Courtney! It does sound like your holes could be bigger. I say make whatever adjustments you need to make so that it is not wavy, then complete the rest of the clutch to fit the dimensions of your flap. You just want to be sure your gauge is tight enough for the stitches to be nice and dense for the clutch. I hope that helps! If worse comes to worse, you may need to start over with a new flap?

Thank you! It does help. I figured it was probably the bigger holes causing the waves, just wanted to be sure.
I’m waiting for it to dry now (after blocking) and I think its going to be just fine. Can’t wait to get it finished! Thanks for a great tutorial.

It’s beautiful, Delia! Thanks for the wonderful and generous tutorial! I have a question here, what type of leather should i use for sewing? How to choose the “easy-to-work-with-leather”? Thanks again. I really enjoy reading your marvelous blog =)

Thanks Kate! An easy to work with leather would be something not too thick but with enough body to work as a flap. You don’t want something too flimsy, but definitely stay away from vegetable tan leather which can be really stiff. An old leather bag or jacket that you don’t mind upcycling, works great. It can even be pleather. I hope that helps? Let me know if you have any more questions.

I was working the pattern, but I couldn’t get the foundation row connecting the leather and the bag to be pretty and even. Instead of straight rows flowing from the beginning leather, my foundation row and therefore every row after seemed to fan out and looked unappealing. Any words of advice?

Emily, that foundation row can be a bit tricky. I feel for you! It could be a few things… I’m just going to list a bunch of possibilities to see if any of them help. It may be that the holes are too close together. You can remedy this by going down a hook size and working a tighter gauge throughout the piece. Or you can start over with a new flap. If the work is fanning out, it may also be that the row count is off. It can feel tedious, but counting the stitches for each row can keep things nice and square. That said, the first row should look a little bumpy, if the leather is flexible, but it should even out as more rows are added. I hope that helps. If not, please reach out again and I’ll try to help trouble shoot with you some more. You can comment here or email me: delia.randall@gmail.com

HELP! I found your pattern on pinterest but it is buckling like crazy within the first few rows. It seems as if there are way too many stitches for the size of the leather. Did this happen to you or anyone else??

I am so sorry to hear that. Before wet blocking the purse, it does scrunch up a little bit. From what you described, it sounds like more than a little bit. You may need to re-do the flap and adjust the spacing of the holes. It also helps to loosen up your tension. I hope that helps! Please me know if you have any more questions and I’ll see if I can help you trouble shoot. <3

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[…] right now, so if there was ever a perfect time to learn the art of crocheting, it’s now. This pretty purse is the perfect example of how by crocheting you can create wonderful things. It’s not the easiest […]

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